These gulls were conspicuous and abundant throughout our voyage. The nominate race is found in South America and Australia, but those in South Africa are the race L. d. vetula which differs in having a dark eye and a shorter bill. It is sometimes split as a separate species called Cape Gull. Three other subspecies are usually recognized from Antarctica, Subantarctic islands and Madagascar (Clements, IOC, Jiguet). However the latest Howard & Moore consider the species to be monotypic. New Zealand populations often go under the name "Southern Black-backed Gull" and this was the name used by the staff ornithologist on our cruise ship. It was also used by Howard & Moore through their 2nd edition, but the name Kelp Gull is otherwise universal. A recent publication by Jiguet et al. Zoological Studies 51(6): 881-892 (2012) recommends separation of the Australia/New Zealand population as a distinct subspecies (L. d. antipodus). This suggestion has been adopted by HBW (online version).
Digiscoped with Panasonic DMC-LX5 | Nikon FieldScope 3 | 30X WA | hand-held (no adapter)